AU FOOTBALL 2008: High hopes for West Virginia

By Collin Mickle

Published: June 25, 2008

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the eighth in a series previewing Auburn’s 2008 football opponents. This week: West Virginia (Oct. 23). The series will run weekly.

Over the past seven seasons, Rich Rodriguez built West Virginia into a year-in, year-out contender for a conference title and an annual national-title darkhorse — all while showcasing one of the nation’s most exciting offenses.

Rodriguez is gone, having moved on to Michigan. He left behind plenty of hurt feelings, a tangled lawsuit over his WVU contract buyout, and a roster loaded with talent.

New head coach Bill Stewart, who was promoted from interim coach after the Mountaineers’ 48-28 Fiesta Bowl win against Oklahoma, will try to keep the program moving in the right direction.

With talented offensive players like quarterback Pat White and running back Noel Devine, Stewart has a chance to do just that.

Any discussion of West Virginia’s chances has to start with White, the Mobile native and two-time Big East Offensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder accounted for 3,059 yards from scrimmage and scored 28 touchdowns last season. He’s poised to do even better in 2008.

Keeping White healthy is a top priority for the Mountaineers — junior backup Jarrett Brown is capable, but he’s not in White’s league.

Fortunately for White, all five starters return from a top-notch offensive line. Center Mike Dent and left guard Greg Isdaner earned All-Big East honors last season. Left tackle Ryan Stancheck somehow missed out on all-conference recognition but earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press.

Right tackle Selvish Capers and right guard Jake Figner were part-time starters in 2007, but are ready to step into bigger roles this season.

The line won’t just be protecting White, of course. The front five will also open holes for the Mountaineers’ ground game.

Longtime starting tailback Steve Slaton left for the NFL draft. But Devine, a sophomore, showed plenty of star power as Slaton’s backup, rushing for 627 yards and six touchdowns on just 73 carries. Adjusting to the feature-back role could take some time, but Devine has All-America talent.

Speedy junior Michael Poitier and powerful freshman Terence Kerns will vie for the No. 2 job; both should get plenty of carries.

Before last season, West Virginia’s passing game was more or less an afterthought. But White’s improvement as a passer led to a bigger role for the receiving corps.

Many of White’s passes went to now-departed star wideout Darius Reynaud. Potential replacements include seniors Dorrell Jalloh and Tito Gonzalez, who combined for 34 catches last season.

Coaches hope speedsters Brandon Hogan and Jock Sanders emerge as playmakers in the slot.

Defensively, WVU returns just four starters from last year’s unit, which finished seventh in total defense and eighth in scoring defense last season.

Stewart retained defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel and his 3-3-5 defense. But question marks loom on the defensive line and in the secondary.

Freshman All-America Scooter Berry is the top returning defensive lineman. Berry will play defensive tackle, alongside noseguard Chris Neild. Neild, who managed 13 tackles last year, has big shoes to fill: Departed starter Keilen Dykes was a two-time all-conference selection.

The other new starter up front is defensive end Zac Cooper, a converted linebacker who will battle with redshirt freshman Julian Miller and junior-college transfer Larry Ford. Juco transfer Tevita Finau missed spring practice but could also push for playing time at end starting in the preseason.

Linebacker Mortty Ivy moves from the weakside to the strongside. After an 89-tackle, six-sack season as a junior, Ivy is the unit’s best playmaker. Middle linebacker Reed Williams led the team with 107 tackles last season and could improve on that total this season.

Sophomore J.T. Thomas will replace Ivy on the weakside. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Thomas is excellent in pass coverage. Sophomore Pat Lazear will push Thomas. Lazear has big-time potential but hasn’t had many opportunities so far.

Safety Quinton Andrews is the only returning starter in the secondary, which lost four starters and seven letter-winners. Andrews is a coverage specialist who is improving as a run-stopper.

Junior Boogie Allen, who had 14 tackles as a reserve last season, is the starter at free safety. Speedy senior Charles Pugh is the third safety.

Juniors Guesly Dervil and Kent Richardson are the front-runners at cornerback. Richardson started two games last season; Dervil hasn’t played much, but coaches are high on his potential. Junior-college transfer Brantwon Bowser and junior Ellis Lankster will compete for playing time.

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